GIVE ME LOVE (WINRINA AU)

CHAPTER 39

Winter is peacefully working on her YouTube editing on the couch in Karina's unit. It became her habit to go to Karina's unit in the evening.

"I won't grow tall even if you gave me milk every day." Winter stifles a laugh. "thank you."

"it's good for your health. You getting taller is a bonus." She sits beside her. "how much do you make with that?"

"it depends. I cost 25 per hour." Winter replied. "one video took me about four hours, including revision. I have six clients by now and every week they need to upload one. So...roughly five thousand a month. That doesn't include their special videos."

"that's quiet a lot." Karina's eyes widened.

"they'd give bonus if they have extra income. My scholarship doesn't cover my tuition fully so I have to save up for that. Then I have to give some for my mom since my dad only use his money for Wendy and himself. Then, I can use the money for myself. That means... I have less than a thousand dollars." Winter explained. "I calculate them roughly but I always make sure that I have enough for my study."

"that's not too bad, right? I didn't think that your expenses would be a lot."

"now that Wendy is working, I can save up more and earn more from this job." Winter smiles at her.

"what matters is you love this job." Karina leans on her shoulder.

"I do. I feel like I can do this for the rest of my life."

"alone?" Karina threw a hint at her.

"probably. My dream is to have a nice place for me and my mom. I wanna buy an apartment, buy stuff for my mom before she's gone."

"hey, don't say that." Karina furrowed her eyebrows. "Is she okay?"

"I'm afraid not." Winter sighs. "I just want her to see me graduate. I hope she can last that long."

"she will." Karina caressed her hand. "how long before you graduate?"

"I need to finish it in a year though I have two left."

"aren't you pushing yourself?" Karina asked.

"my professor said I can do it. Besides, I'm late to college. I have to finish it early, right? Get the certificate, then I can do whatever I like."

-

Winter accidentally fall asleep when she's taking a rest. Karina didn't wake her up to let her sleep longer.

"what time is it?" Winter asked Karina in the kitchen.

"eleven. Do you wanna go back?" Karina walks out of the kitchen after washing the dishes.

"yup." Winter yawns. "I'll come back tomorrow."

"okay." Karina runs towards her, taking a quick peck on her cheek. "see you, Winter."

Finally, Winter enters her own unit. She's greeted by Wendy on the couch, playing with her phone.

"how's it?" Wendy smiles at her.

"how's what?"

"your date. You guys are dating right?" Wendy raised an eyebrow.

"feels like it. I'm not sure yet." Winter shrugs.

"oh, c'mon. ask her." Wendy stands up. "don't be a pussy, sis. You might not be as good looking as me but at least you gotta have that confidence." She grabs her shoulder, squeezing it a bit.

"get off me. I'm offended." Winter shrugs her off.

"hey I'm joking. We have the good genes. You're.... still good looking." Wendy nervously laughs. "you have to give me some girlfriend tax."

"are there such a thing?" Winter raised an eyebrow.

"yeah, I just made it up."

-

Karina lays on her bed, contemplating whether she should call Winter or not. Remembering that Winter can be distracted by a phone call, Karina holds back. She actually has been like this ever since Winter often stops by her unit. Then, her phone suddenly rings.

"oh, hello." Karina get confused but picks up the call from Winter anyway. "I thought you're busy."

"I thought you're asleep already."

Karina can hear Wendy's voice. Meanwhile, Winter is getting pushed by Wendy to call Karina. Wendy asked her to keep going but Winter is not good at keeping a conversation going.

"um... I'm still working." Winter said, looking at Wendy. She shows thumb up at her.

"do you want me to stay in the call? I don't want to distract you."

"well... do you-" Winter got cut off by Wendy slapping her head.

"yes! I want you to stay in the call!" Wendy whispered at Winter.

"yeah, sure. If you don't mind." Winter can hear Karina's giggles.

"of course, I don't. I'll stay here. You can focus on your work. I won't make a sound."

"okay." Winter put her phone on speaker.

"shoo... I wanna sleep. You're welcome." Wendy plops herself on the bed and closed her eyes.

Winter walks back to her desk and placed her phone beside the keyboard.

For around an hour, Winter can still hear noises from Karina. It's not distracting but seems like Karina is having trouble sleeping.

"are you okay, Karina?" Winter asked, getting worried.

"did I disturb you? I'm sorry. It's not easy for me to sleep."

"it's okay. I'm just asking. Do I make noises that bothers you?" Winter asked again.

"no, not at all. It's a problem I have to face every night." Karina sighs. "it's alright, Winter. You can continue your work. don't forget to sleep."

"okay, then."